Pages

Thursday, March 22, 2012

"Every child costs you a tooth." This was a saying in my grandmothers time. It was believed that during pregnancy, the growing baby withdrew the mother's Calcium from her teeth, thus causing cavities.
Sience has made major leaps and has since discovered that no such process occurs. What does happen is an increase in acidity of saliva, which attacks the dental glaze more than before you were pregnant. That combined with more frequent snacking leaves your teeth prone to developing cavities.
Hormonal changes affect your gums durng pregnancy, which makes them more sensitive to bleeding, which in turn can lead to inflammation or infection.

Good dental hygiene is of high importance during pregnancy, because gum disease can affect your pregnancy.

Brush after every meal

Use dental floss!!

Avoid sugary snacks

If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth, try to change your brand of toothpaste a couple of times. Try at least to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.

If possible, you should have a dental check-up before getting pregnant, this way, if you need any work done, you can have it out of the way. It is recommended to plan a visit to your dentist during pregnancy, but make sure to inform him that you are pregnant. The best time for this visit is during second trimester (try to avoid the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester). Stay clear of dental X-rays unless they are indespensable.

Gosh you're so right! After having my 3rd baby last year I plucked up the courage to go to the dentist as my teeth bled when I brushed them. I was told I had severe gum disease and would need 3 sessions of intensive treatment to fix it or my teeth would fall out!!! I also needed 5 fillings!It was awful. I ended up having about 6 session altogether at a cost of €800!! But after a rather slow and painful homebirth of my 9pound baby, the pain of having my gums pulled back and drilled was nothing! Plus, I saw lying in the dentist chair as a rare break from the screaming (my baby had silent reflux) and the intense mothering of 3 under 4years old that was my life at the time.